Shooting Pains

[Indie5678]

Hello,

I’ve recently been diagnosed with IBS when my stomach was constantly gurgling or currently keeping record of what food aggravates it.

For the last couple of weeks I’ve noticed I’m getting shooting pains in upper chest behind breast bone and in left arm by bicep and then other random places.

Is this normal with IBS or should I see GP?

[Andann]

I would still say consult a doctor, in person or remotely but I often have these. They seem to be brought on by food or drink from these possibilities..... alcohol, fizzy drinks, trapped air, not enough exercise , eating too fast. I usually take Gaviscon and practice calming breathing and a bit of yoga and walking.

[Indie5678 in reply to Andann]

Thanks

[xjrs]

Call 111 immediately and get their advice. It may be to do with food, but it could be something more serious.

[Indie5678 in reply to xjrs]

Thanks. Went to A&E they did ECG, chest X-Ray and blood tests. All came back okay.

They said it could be symptom of IBS - just seems strange it’s related to that?

[xjrs in reply to Indie5678]

Glad that you got checked out and all is OK from that point of view.

You may be suffering from acid reflux/GERD. You could try Gaviscon to see if that helps. If it does, that might help to diagnose you. You could keep a food diary to see if there are any foods that particularly trigger it. Just wondering if you are constipated. I used to find that I got more reflux when food was backed up in my system, which can increase the pressure on the valve that sits between the stomach and the throat.

If it is persistant and you can't track the cause, then you'll need to speak with your GP.

You can also purchase bed risers on the internet, that raise the head of the bed by 20cm to keep stomach contents in the stomach overnight. Fsc deglycyrrhizinated licorice can be sucked 20 mins before meals and at bed time to help coat your throat and protect it from acid. Acid reflux/GERD shouldn't be left untreated in the long term since it can result in a pre-cancerous condition, so it is important to keep the throat protected in the long run and speak to your GP if it persists.

[buggins55]

yes I get that trapped wind with me, get pain in the strangest places with IBS

[akroguy]

I've had sharp pains behind my sternum for many years that almost always goes away soon after onset by passing wind! I think the entire abdominal cavity gets pressurized when the bowels are inflated and it starts pinging nerves everywhere else. As long as you're not getting sweaty, nauseous, radiating pains into arms or jaw, I'd say there is little to worry about. Maybe try some Gasx for gas control and see if symptoms diminish. I know how alarming these pains can be. Hang in there.